Button



(No Model.)

0. E. STOWE.

BUTTON.

No. 520,621. Patented May 29, 1894.

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Usirrsn STATES PATENT ries.

BUTTONQ SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 520,621, dated May 29, 1894. Applicationfiled February 27,1898- Serial No. 463.837. (No model.)

- specification.

This invention relates to buttons, and has special reference to that class thereof known as ball-bearing buttons, wherein the ball is formed at either end of the post and located 1n a socket formed either in the button-head or 1n the shoe or shoe-plate, and has for its ob ect to improve this class of devices and supply in connection therewith a simple and convenient form of fastening for the shoe or shoe-plate.

WVith these ends in view, the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the parts thereof as will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective View of abutton embodying theinvention and shown applied to a piece of fabric. Fig. 2 is a simllar view of the parts of the button shown in Fig. 1 disconnected and the ball formed on the upper end of the post. Fig. 3 1s a centraltransverse section of the button as shown applied in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of another form of button, showing a modification in the construction of the shoe or shoe-plate, and illustrating the fastening-plate applied thereto. Fig. 5 is a perspective View of a piece of fabric, showing the two forms of the shoe-plate or shoe as applied thereto.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding partsin the several figures of the drawings. I

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a head of suitable form of construction,that may be ornamented or embellished with designs as found desirable. As shown in Fig. 3, the under side of the head may be formed with a socket, or, as shown more clearly in Fig. 2, a socket might be formed with the fastening-plate and adapted to receive a ball 4, on either end of the post 5, to form a loose self-adjusting and freelymoving connection or ball bearing joint between the head of the button and the fastening therefor.

The shoe or shoe-plate in this instance consists of a circular plate 6 of sheet metal, which, as shown in Fig. 2, is somewhat cup-shaped and has the upper edge thereof that engages with the fabric formed with a series of rigid serrations or teeth 7, and through the body thereof, adjacent to the upturned flange of the same, is provided a series of openings 8, that, in the present instance, are four in number, and at the center of the said plate is formed a second series of openings in diametrical alignment with the aforesaid openings, and at this point the said plate is struck down and the inner series of openings extend into said struck-down portion. The fastening-plate 9 may or may not be provided with a socket, as will be understood from the foregoing description, but is formed with four elongated pointed prongs 10, that pierce the fabric and pass through the openings 8, and bent inwardly against the bottom of the plate 6, with the points thereof extending through the inner series of openings in said plate, whereby the said points of the prongs are shielded from contact with adjacent objects or fabrics and injury to the person or garments of the wearer is prevented. \Vhen the prongs are bent up against the plate 6, they firmly clamp the latter against the fabric, and the rigid serrations or teeth at the upper edge thereof bite into the fabric and provide for a firm securement of the said plate in position.

As shown by Fig. 4, the shoe or plate is annular in formation, and is provided with an inner and an outer struck-up flange, as at 11 and 12, with upper serrated rigid edges 13 and 14, and between the said flanges the openings 8 are formed, through which the prongs of the fastening-plate are passed in a manner similar to that heretofore set forth, and then bent inward against the inner lower portion of the innermost of the flanges and upward to turn the points out of engaging position.

It will be observed that by the construction set forth the button is self-adjusting in its nature and is free to yield to conform to and adjust itself to any direction from which a strain or pull may happen to be placed upon it. The object of this arrangement is to give the button as near as possible that flexibility which abutton possesses that is sewed on with thread. It will be understood that the fastening-plate may be either round or square or of any other form, as shown by the accompanying drawings, and may be easily passed through the fabric or cloth by the fingers of the hand Without employing any other implement for assisting in properly setting the same in position, and the shoe or shoe-plate may be increased or decreased in size accordingly as the button or fastening-plate are increased or decreased in their dimensions. The serrated portion of the shoe or shoe-plate acts in the capacity of a cap, and the teeth or serrations thereof catch into the cloth and hold the same fast and prevent it from slipping or tearing when strain is placed upon the button. It will also be seen that the button as set forth cannot readily tear or pull out of the cloth or fabric to which it is applied, and is simple and effective in its construction and operation and therefore can be cheaply manufactured and sold at a small cost price.

By reason of providing the connecting post 5, with a ball at one end that is adapted to be loosely received in a socket of either the button head or the fastening plate, a nonseparable ball bearing connection is provided between these two parts of the button Whereby a universal oscillatory adjustment is given to the button head, while at the same time providing a sufficiently strong connection between the head and the fastening plate to prevent the breaking of the connection. It will therefore be observed that the button head is not only swiveled onto the connecting post 5, but has a loose ball bearing connection therewith that admits'of an oscillation in any direction according to where the strain is placed on the button, so that the adjustment of the button will approach as near as possible that extensive degree of self-adjustmentwhich a button possesses that is sewed on with a thread. 7

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is' 1. In a non-separable button, the comblnation of a head, a fastening plate with prongs thereon, either said head'or said plate be ng provided with a ball socket, a short fastening post permanently connecting the head with the fastening plate and provided with a ball at one end loosely received in said ball socket to admit of a universal self-adj ustment of the head, and a shoe or shoe plate provided with openings therein to receive the prongs of the fastening plate and with a rigid serrated or toothed edge to engage the fabric to which the button is applied, substantially as set forth.

2. In a non-separable button, the combination of a head, a fastening plate with prongs thereon, a permanent ball bearing connection between the head and plate to admit of a universal adjustment for the head, and a shoe plate provided with a rigid serrated or toothed edge, an outer series of openings to receive the prongs of the fastening plate, and an offstanding cap portion having an inner series of openings adapted to receive the point extremities of the prongs that are passed through the outer openings, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES E. STOWE.

Witnesses:

V. E. LONG, J. L. NIELL. 

